Alicante, Spain

The city of Alicante sits on Spain's eastern coast in the Costa Blanca region, literally the "White Coast." Right in the heart of the city, you'll find a gorgeous sandy beach that stretches for about a kilometer.
Things really come alive here during summer when visitors flock in for city breaks. You can feast on amazing seafood, shop till you drop, enjoy the nightlife, and soak up all that Mediterranean warmth and sunshine.

Alicante was originally called Lucentum, meaning City of Light, and it certainly lives up to its name. The weather here is fantastic, with sunshine pretty much guaranteed year-round. While you could technically visit anytime, spring and fall are your best bets for an Alicante getaway. The peak summer months can get a bit overwhelming with crowds everywhere and temperatures that might be too hot to handle for some.

When it comes to picking the best areas to stay in Alicante, you'll want to look near the harbor, in the modern downtown districts, or in the charming old town.

Alicante as a Travel Destination

Alicante is a versatile destination that has something for everyone. Whether you're into beach lounging, getting active with golf or water sports, or exploring the surrounding areas on day trips, you'll find plenty to keep you busy. The Costa Blanca region welcomes you with friendly locals, fantastic and affordable restaurants, buzzing nightlife, and all the amenities you'd expect from a Mediterranean hotspot.
The beauty of Alicante is that you don't have to spend your entire vacation ticking off tourist attractions or museum-hopping. It's equally perfect for families, couples, or groups of friends looking for their ideal getaway.

The Valencia region, where Alicante sits, forms part of Spain's Levante (eastern coast) along with Murcia. This area has a fascinating history marked by centuries of battles between the Moors and Spanish, which locals still celebrate through various colorful festivals throughout the year.
Today, Alicante stands as a major city surrounded by the famous Costa Blanca coastline, home to well-known resort towns like Benidorm. These spots have become go-to summer destinations for holidaymakers from all over Europe.

What to See in Alicante

While Alicante isn't really a destination you'd visit purely for sightseeing, it does have a couple of impressive fortresses and a stunning church for those who appreciate grand landmarks.
Castillo de Santa Bàrbara dominates the city skyline from Mount Benacantil, while the more modest San Fernando fortress offers a quieter spot with plenty of family-friendly activities in the surrounding area. The Basilica Santa María is a beautiful example of a sanctuary that's picked up influences from various architectural styles throughout its long history.

Alicante's Wines and Local Wineries

The Alicante region has been making wine for centuries, with its vintages already in high demand back in the 1500s, both locally and internationally. The area's wines are typically used to enhance the appearance and aroma of other wines. To protect local wine production, they even imposed import restrictions at one point, which led to a boom in vineyard planting across the region. This was followed by a massive surge in demand and an exceptionally prosperous period for the industry.

Today, the Alicante area is home to numerous wineries where you can take tours, sample wines, and learn about viticulture. Bocopa Bodegas, for instance, is known for its distinctive wines, while La Bodega de Pinoso traces its roots back to the early 1900s in Pinoso. Francisco Gómez's winery and the modest Sierra Salinas vineyard are both nestled in the lush hills of the Salinas Valley. There's also the century-old Bodegas Faelo in the village of Matola in Elche.

Shopping

In Alicante, shopping is a breeze since most stores are conveniently clustered in just a few areas. This is the perfect place to pick up those classic Spanish souvenirs you've been eyeing. These days, retail therapy is even easier with many shops now open on Sundays too. Beyond the modern shopping centers, the city boasts a stunning covered market hall, plus various outdoor markets and street fairs that add some local flavor to your shopping spree.

Restaurants

Eating out in Alicante is a real treat that won't break the bank, you'll find seriously good food at great prices. You can dig into local specialties like grilled meats and paella, plus loads of other delicious dishes, especially in the new downtown area, the old town, and around the marina.

You'll find restaurants clustered along various streets throughout the city, and honestly, you can stumble upon a great spot just by wandering around downtown. Lunch is when you'll get the best deals and the widest selection of dishes. Dinner here is super laid-back too, thanks to the weather, you can eat outside pretty much all year round.

Getting Around

In Alicante, you'll find it's easy to get around on foot, especially in the historic heart of the city, along the waterfront, and through the more modern downtown areas. Despite being a large city, all the main sights and services that matter to visitors are conveniently packed into a compact area.

If you want to pick up the pace or venture out to Alicante's surroundings or nearby beach resorts, you've got plenty of options: hop on a city bus or tram, grab a taxi, rent a bike or e-scooter. You can also easily rent a car or scooter right at the airport or from various rental spots around town.

Getting to Alicante: Flights and Travel Tips

Alicante is a hot destination that draws both independent travelers and package tourists, especially during summer. Winter sees fewer crowds, but you can still enjoy plenty of activities and relatively warm weather.
Start planning early, especially if you're traveling during peak season like July or the October school holidays. For the best deals, book at least six months ahead. During quieter periods, you might snag some bargains with less advance notice.

When to Go

Beach lovers should aim for late spring or early fall when the weather's warm but not scorching hot like midsummer, and the crowds have thinned out.

Winter is perfect if you want to dodge the masses and enjoy pleasantly mild weather while exploring cultural attractions and outdoor activities.
The sweet spot for budget travelers? November through early April, when the weather's still decent and the main tourist season hasn't kicked in yet. Just watch out for Christmas and especially New Year's when prices spike. If you're set on a winter trip, go well before Christmas or after Epiphany for better deals.

Package Holidays

If you prefer a traditional package deal to Alicante or the surrounding resort towns, tour operators offer trips to the Costa Blanca region. Like independent travelers, you can choose to stay in Benidorm or other popular spots along this sun-blessed coastline instead of Alicante itself.

Getting to Alicante and onward travel from the airport

Alicante Airport serves as a pretty efficient gateway to the Costa Blanca region, with solid transport connections not just to downtown Alicante but also to nearby towns like Elche, Torrevieja, and Benidorm.

From Alicante Airport to the city center

Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport sits 11 kilometers from downtown Alicante. You can hop on a bus that'll take you straight where you need to go. Bus line C-6 runs via Elche and the train station to Plaza Puerta del Mar. This stop is near the harbor, the newer part of downtown, and the old town, so you're within walking distance of lots of attractions. Just a heads up: day passes or longer tickets don't work on the airport bus, you'll need to buy a separate ticket for this ride.

If you want to use Alicante's extensive tram network, first take the bus to Luceros station and switch to the tram there. This gives you easy access to all of Alicante and surrounding areas, including the popular resort town of Benidorm. The airport also offers direct bus connections to Benidorm and several other nearby cities.

Of course, you can also get exactly where you want to go by taxi. Alicante Airport has struggled with a chronic taxi shortage in the past, which at its worst led to lines of over a hundred people, especially in the evenings. However, things have improved since June 2024 when Uber started operating at the airport alongside traditional taxis. Uber's arrival has helped cut down those queues, particularly during the worst rush periods.